Check with your doctor before taking loperamide if you: have had an allergic reaction to loperamide or any other medicines in the past. have had diarrhoea for more than 48 hours. have HIV and your stomach becomes swollen.
Warnings: Improper use of this medication (overuse or abuse) may cause serious harm, such as fast/irregular heartbeat or death. Do not increase your dose, take it more often, or take it for longer than directed. Taking loperamide with certain other medications may also cause harm.
Do not take antidiarrheal agents when diarrhea is accompanied by fever, severe illness, abdominal pain, or if there is blood or pus (mucus) in the stool. 1 If diarrhea from an infection is a possibility, only use antidiarrheal drugs as advised by a healthcare professional.
Since diarrhea is your body's way of getting rid of toxins, it is best to let it run its course. However, you may use over-the-counter antidiarrheal remedies for convenience, including: Attapulgite (Kaopectate) Loperamide (Imodium)
There are 332 drugs known to interact with Imodium (loperamide), along with 4 disease interactions, and 1 alcohol/food interaction. Of the total drug interactions, 44 are major, 287 are moderate, and 1 is minor.
The adverse events with an incidence of 1.0% or greater, which were more frequently reported in patients on placebo than on loperamide hydrochloride were: nausea, vomiting, headache, meteorism, abdominal pain, abdominal cramp and colic.
Summary. If you suffer from acute diarrhea, it's best to treat it straight away. By treating diarrhea, your body can start to recover so you can feel better and get on with your day as quickly as possible.
Imodium Dosage
The most you should ever take in a day is 8 mg unless your healthcare provider advises you otherwise. Be sure to drink lots of water while taking Imodium.
Diarrhea is a common problem. It may last 1 or 2 days and goes away on its own. If diarrhea lasts more than 2 days it may mean you have a more serious problem.
IMODIUM® can take less than 1 hour to relieve diarrhoea, helping restore the rhythm of your digestive system. IMODIUM® Dual Action which contains the additional ingredient simethicone, which helps to alleviate other symptoms that can accompany diarrhoea, including cramps, bloating and wind.
If you've bought loperamide from a pharmacy or shop, do not take it for more than 48 hours without talking to a doctor. Only take the recommended amount. Too much loperamide can cause serious heart problems (including a fast or irregular heartbeat).
Drink plenty of liquids, including water, broths and juices. Avoid caffeine and alcohol. Add semisolid and low-fiber foods gradually as your bowel movements return to normal. Try soda crackers, toast, eggs, rice or chicken.
IMODIUM® slows down the movement (contractions) in your intestine so that you pass firmer stools less often. But usually, the drug doesn't completely stop you from having bowel movements3. Constipation may occur. If so, stop taking IMODIUM® and consult your doctor if constipation is severe.
If you have constipation with Imodium, stop taking the drug. Constipation may last for a few days after you take Imodium, but it typically goes away on its own. And drinking plenty of water can help ease constipation. However, if you have constipation that doesn't improve after a few days, see your doctor.
1 Half teaspoon (2.5ml) Half a milligram It is best to take Loperamide half an hour before a meal. This will help to slow down the usual gut activity that is stimulated by eating.
Adults and teenagers—The usual dose is 4 mg (2 tablets) after the first loose bowel movement, and 2 mg (1 tablet) after each loose bowel movement after the first dose has been taken. No more than 8 mg (4 tablets) should be taken in any 24-hour period.
How long does Imodium (Loperamide) last? The amount of time Imodium stays in your system depends on multiple factors, such as the dosage, age, weight and how long it is taken. On average, Imodium half-life is approximately 11 hours but can range between 9 and 14 hours.
Watery diarrhea is commonly caused by a viral infection or food poisoning from eating undercooked meat or rotten foods. It can be serious if it causes dehydration. Keep an eye out for blood in the stool, and be sure to drink water and fluids with electrolytes. Ezekiel Richardson, MD.
Imodium will usually help to slow down your acute diarrhea in the first hour, but if your diarrhea continues you may need to take additional doses in the same day. Take no more than the recommended maximum dose per day.
Foods to eat when you have diarrhea
BRAT stands for “bananas, rice, apples, toast.” These foods are bland, so they won't aggravate the digestive system. They're also binding, so they help firm up stool.
Yogurt may help prevent or treat diarrhea
Certain types of yogurt contain friendly bacteria, also known as probiotics, which may help prevent or treat diarrhea.
A wide range of problems can cause chronic diarrhea; some of the most common causes include irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis), malabsorption syndromes, like celiac disease, in which food cannot be digested and absorbed, and chronic infections as well as ...